Rockets fans should be ecstatic if the Suns trade for Jonathan Kuminga

Houston Rockets fans can only root for the Suns' downfall. So, they should hope they acquire Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors.

You can anticipate the framework of this piece. If it hurts the Suns, it helps the Rockets. Houston owns picks from the Suns in 2027 and 2029. Anything that can weaken the Suns in that timeframe is beneficial to them.

In this case, that benefit isn't as obvious as it has been in other situations. It depends on where you stand on Kuminga. Who knows? He could be part of the Suns' winning core by 2029.

Yahoo Sports' Tom Haberstroh thinks Kuminga could be heading to the Valley.

"I think the framework of a deal would be there"

- Tom Haberstroh on Kuminga to Phoenix

Is this really something that Rockets fans should want to see?

Rockets should be rooting for Kuminga to Phoenix

Let's take a hard look at Kuminga as a player.

He can certainly score at the NBA level. In 2024-25, Kuminga averaged 23.0 points per 75 possessions. His athleticism allows him to finish around the rim at will. Kuminga shot an impressive 73.6% between 0 and 3 feet last season.

That's great. Somehow, Kuminga finished the year with a -0.6 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) despite playing on a winning Warriors team. How is that possible with his statistical profile?

Turn to the eye test. Kuminga is an unfocused defender. He doesn't have a particular knack for getting his teammates involved. For all of his natural talent, he hasn't figured out how to play a winning brand of basketball yet.

Will he ever?

Suns landing Kuminga could be a mixed blessing for the Rockets

There's no denying that Kuminga has potential.

Who knows? This could work out. It's worth noting that Kuminga was teammates with Jalen Green on the G-League Ignite. If that duo can click with Devin Booker, there could be a framework for success here.

That could mean the 2029 pick is compromised. That would be unfortunate, but it's a gamble the Rockets would be happy to take (if they had a choice):

Because there's almost no chance that a deal for Kuminga will make the Suns better by 2027.

It's nearly inconceivable. Contractually, the Suns would have to include Dillon Brooks in a deal - he's going to help them win more than Kuminga in that time frame. It's difficult to imagine this iteration of the Suns getting off the ground quickly.

If they click by 2029, they should have already sent the Rockets a high lottery pick. It's worth noting that in 2029, the Rockets get the best two picks between the Suns, themselves, and the Mavericks anyway. They could package those two picks to move up in the draft if they like someone.

More broadly, the Rockets should simply root for any short-term impediment to the Suns' success. Will Devin Booker want to play with Green and Kuminga for long? Could acquiring Kuminga portend a longer rebuilding process? Who knows?

All the Rockets can do is root for Phoenix's downfall.